 | 1.5 LU | HSW |
| 1.5 LU | HSW |
Date/Time: November 7, 2026 | 10:15 – 11:45 am
Room: TAHOMA 1
Abstract: Established in 1954 as a high school serving a neighborhood created by the City of Dallas for Black first-time homeowners, Hamilton Park High School quickly became a cherished landmark within the community. Following the Civil Rights Movement and the Brown v. Board of Education decision, declining enrollment led to discussions about closing the school. In response, the community members came together and successfully petitioned the court to preserve the campus and reimagine it as the district’s first magnet school, expanding the enrollment beyond the neighborhood boundaries and being the catalyst for academic innovation for the district. Reopening in 1975, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet continues to serve as a central and historic community hub. The magnet program fosters a diverse community of learners that empowers students for success by celebrating the history of Hamilton Park, the unique contribution each student brings to its legacy, and sets the pace for a bright and connected future. As part of the Richardson ISD 2021 bond program, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet was selected for additions and renovations. The project included a 3,000 square-foot connector addition linking the school building and auditorium, interior revitalization, cafeteria renovations, and new interior graphics celebrating the community’s legacy. To ensure a successful representation of the Hamilton Park community, the design team engaged with a historic committee of community members, alumni, and educators – each with their own story that is personally intertwined with the school.
With the learning objectives below, this program will discuss the legacy of Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet and demonstrate a successful case study in district, design team, and community collaboration, and exceeding baseline expectations and providing significant impact even within tight budget constraints.
Learning Objectives:
Community Engagement
Connecting the educational plan to the vision of the community and the District.
Wayne has dedicated his career to the design and delivery of educational facilities. With the knowledge that a student’s environment can positively impact how they thrive, he listens carefully to the educators interacting with students in these spaces and translates their goals into reality. His over 30 years in planning and designing includes K-12 schools, higher education facilities and sports facilities. Wayne is dedicated to the service of his clients and meeting budget goals.
Carleigh is a known problem solver in the educational facility industry. She is a registered interior designer with 12 years of experience, including 3 years on the owner’s side, shaping K-12 learning environments through design, planning and community engagement. Carleigh is recognized for transforming academic goals and community vision into equitable, culturally responsive and operationally efficient facilities. Her enthusiastic approach inspires imaginative solutions that support student growth, wellness, and choice.
Le is the Executive Director of Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction at Richardson Independent School District. Before joining Richardson ISD, she worked as an architect at Perkins&Will, where she developed an extensive background in designing K-12 schools. Le is deeply committed to enhancing the experiences of both faculty and students, striving to create school environments that are welcoming and inspiring for all.
With over eight years of dedicated K-12 experience, Jenna contributes to projects at all stages of design and documentation, from initial design concepts through construction documents and construction administration. A creative problem-solver, her favorite part of the process is early design and planning, getting to know the community and developing a project that caters to their needs. Her passion for the education industry drives her tenacity to make sure her projects are on-time and on-budget.
 |
Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
November 4-7, 2026
Email: donna@a4le.org
+1 480.391.0840